Why Thai GL Series Desperately Need Intimacy Coordinators

We’ve seen a lot of talk online lately about intimate scenes in #ThaiGLs—and yes, we’ve already spilled our thoughts in our last blog. Whether you think GLs need to turn up the heat or you’re clutching your pearls at the thought, there’s another layer worth exploring: intimacy coordinators.

According to SAG-AFTRA, an intimacy coordinator is “an advocate, a liaison between actors and production…in regard to nudity and simulated sex and other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes.” Translation: They ensure clear boundaries, informed consent, and choreograph the safe, spicy bits so actors can focus on acting—not wondering where that hand is going next.

These days, intimacy coordinators (ICs) aren’t just nice to have—they’re standard in Hollywood post #MeToo. Networks like HBO and Netflix now routinely use ICs, following formal SAG-AFTRA protocols for safer sets in American productions. The irony? Training programs exist worldwide, but almost no country requires ICs for productions of any size—and publicly crediting them when they are present is still hit-or-miss.

Two women in bed, leaning in for an intimate kiss, full of tenderness.

So… Do Thai GLs use ICs?

Short answer: Probably not. Only a tiny handful have publicly credited an intimacy coordinator. Could someone be quietly doing that work under a different title? Maybe. But here’s the thing: “Acting coach” is not the same as “person in charge of choreographing the passionate make-out while keeping it safe and believable.”

Beyond the Scene: Why It Matters

An intimacy coordinator isn’t just there to guard the actors’ comfort—they level up the whole production:

• Better performances – Safe actors give confident, authentic performances.

• Legal & PR protection – Clear protocols help avoid “yikes” moments turning into lawsuits or headlines.

• Faster filming – Pre-blocked moves mean fewer awkward retakes and no “um, what now?” improvisation.

• Creative freedom – Boundaries in place mean everyone can focus on artistry, not last-minute negotiations.

• Stronger industry culture – It shows talent you take safety and respect seriously, which keeps top actors coming back.

And just so we’re clear—an intimacy coordinator doesn’t replace the director. Think of them as the “stunt coordinator” for romance. They handle the choreography, hand placement, body positioning, and even the type of kiss, ensuring everything is consensual and communicated behind the scenes but convincing and heated to audiences. The director still drives the emotional tone, camera work, and pacing. Which means having an intimacy coordinator doesn’t automatically make every love scene amazing. If a director doesn’t understand how intimacy serves the story, the scene can still fall flat. The magic happens when a skilled director and an intimacy coordinator work together to make both the emotion and the execution land.

Why GLs Need to Catch Up

So why aren’t ICs more common? Budgets. Inexperienced production teams. Cultural hesitancy.

But when a GL’s plot levels up with layered character arcs and emotionally rich plots—and then phones in the intimacy—it’s like building a gourmet cake and leaving off the frosting. That’s where an intimacy coordinator comes in: A good IC keeps the set private, choreographs every move so it’s safe and repeatable, and makes sure the actors can focus on telling the story instead of self-preservation. This serves the story—shaping moments of intimacy so they deepen relationships instead of distracting from them.

When the Magic is Missing

There’s another kicker: some Thai BLs already use ICs. And when GL couples appear in BL shows, the difference between intimacy scenes is clear.

Take June and Penny from “My Stubborn.” Their second love scene is raw, emotional, one of the most authentic portrayals of sapphic intimacy Thai TV has delivered. There’s no official IC credit, but the execution has all the hallmarks: lingering shots, intentional movement, and emotional beats that landed exactly where they needed to. It’s a beautiful example of how intimate scenes are supposed to land—something BLs usually do with passion and finesse. Perhaps because Thai BLs have been leaning into IC principles more often, and the experience carried over. Or maybe the love scene was coached by someone who knew what they were doing; giving it the weight to be pivotal instead of just "cute." Well, it worked. And it's the kind of care we wish every GL would bring to the table.

Contrast that with #EnjoyJune in “Denied Love.” As we noted in our previous blog, the early episodes were gold—loaded with chemistry, tension, and emotional stakes. But midway through, the intimacy scenes lost momentum. They lacked the choreography, vulnerability, and emotional payoff the story demanded—especially since Rin wouldn’t verbally admit she was falling for Khem. That kind of silent confession should’ve been written all over their touch, but instead it felt rushed, underwhelming, and fans were left side-eyeing the screen wondering, that’s it?

A skilled intimacy coordinator could have ensured those scenes carried the emotional weight, guiding the physical beats so they matched the tension built earlier. But here’s the catch—this also required a production team who understood why the love scenes mattered to the narrative. Without that vision, even the best choreography can’t save a moment from feeling hollow. In #DeniedLoveSeries, both elements were missing, and the audience felt it.

Another example comes from “Mate: The Series” with #GraceOaey. Aoey (Oaey) is a survivor of severe sexual abuse, and Gen (Grace) is the only person she allows to touch her. In one scene, Aoey is visibly triggered—yet the moment pivots straight into a sexual encounter, with Gen pinning her down. For a character whose trauma hasn’t been fully addressed through therapy, this leap isn’t just unrealistic—it undercuts the emotional integrity of her story. Scenes like this need careful handling because they risk sending the wrong message about consent and recovery. An intimacy coordinator could have flagged the disconnect, worked with the director to align physical beats with emotional reality, and shaped the moment so it respected both the character’s history and the audience’s trust.

The Pros and Cons

Of course, nothing is perfect. In addition to hurdles like budget constraints and extra prep time for choreography and consent discussions, there just aren’t that many trained intimacy coordinators in Thailand, especially for smaller productions. Some creatives also worry ICs might make scenes feel too staged. But here’s the reality: A skilled coordinator works with the director to enhance the scene, not strip it of emotion or make it robotic. And the outcome—safer actors, more authentic performances, and scenes fans actually remember for the right reasons—is worth every baht and every extra minute.

Without an IC helping facilitate authenticity, consent, and communication, boundaries can be crossed—sometimes unintentionally—leaving actors feeling unsafe or emotionally harmed. Reports from film sets tell of performers crying between takes or walking off productions after intimate scenes without clear boundaries, such as Goy Arachaporn of “I Told Sunset About You.” That’s not juicy behind-the-scenes tea—it’s loud alarm bells.

Simple Steps for Big Change

There are easy ways productions can bring in intimacy coordinators—using the expertise of local or international ICs, investing in training crew members, and collaborating with trauma-informed consultants. With these changes we get authentic, safe scenes that future-proof productions as audience expectations rise and industry standards evolve. The payoff is safe, believable intimacy that leaves viewers swooning instead of grumbling.

The Advantages of Doing It Right

As we said in our previous blog, intimacy done right says what dialogue can’t. It’s trust. Vulnerability. Chemistry. And Thai GL audiences? We notice.

Netizens are already out here snipping photos, editing videos, making GIFs, and slow-mo’ing every frame of the intimate moments they love. So why not make those scenes the ones that trend for the right reasons, and become legendary in the process? That kind of buzz doesn’t just trend for a weekend, it cements series’ in the hall of fame.

With more Thai GLs on the rise, intimacy coordinators shouldn’t be optional. Hire them. Protect your cast. Serve your story. And give us—the audience—the romantic payoff we’ve been waiting for.